An interview with Country Singer Jason Aldean

While in Maine, I got to interview country singer Jason Aldean about playing the Twin Falls County Fair this weekend. The following article first appeared in the Times-News of Twin Falls, Idaho.

JASON ALDEAN RELENTLESS IN PURSUIT OF GREAT MUSIC

By Amy Ballard

The last time Jason Aldean played in Idaho, he packed the house. Country music fans here and everywhere are discovering that this sophomore artist puts it all on the line to make sure people leave happy. “I love what I do,” Aldean said in a recent Times-News interview. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Part of his drive comes from his sports background. “I’ve always wanted to be the best at whatever I’m doing.” Aldean, 31, laughed. “I don’t know if that’s always a good thing! But that’s what makes it fun.”

For inspiration, Aldean taps his background as a music consumer. “I make sure if we cut 12 songs that we cut 12 great songs,” he said. “I want to make sure they get their money’s worth.”

Aldean said he’s a little bit of a perfectionist, “but not too bad. I was a fan of music and a consumer before I was an artist,” he said. “Filler songs” are not for him.

Aldean’s competitive nature and high standards are reflected in the title of his 2007 album, Relentless. Any fears of a sophomore jinx were dispelled by the success of the first and second songs, “Johnny Cash” and “Laughed Until We Cried.” The title song “Relentless” is currently playing well as a single and was certified gold by the RIAA.

Unlike singers who write all their own lyrics, Aldean avails himself of the abundant talent around him. “I write, but I’m kind of a weird guy as far as that goes,” he said. “I had three songs on the first album and none on the second. There are some great writers in Nashville. If you record everything that you write you’re missing out on some great songs.”

Aldean will bring some of those great songs to the Twin Falls County Fair August 27, where he will perform selections from Relentless and his 2005 eponymous album. He also likes to mix it up a bit with a few covers of Tom Petty and Guns N’ Roses songs.

The concert comes near the end of a hard-core summer touring season for Aldean, but he’s really just getting warmed up. Starting Oct.4 he headlines CMT Tour ’08: Jason Aldean in 20 cities nationwide.

A Georgia native who currently lives in Nashville with his wife and two children, Aldean first found the adjustment to touring challenging. “I was used to being home for dinner every night,” he said. “You may be gone for two weeks, then you’re back for two days and then you’re gone for three weeks.”

But Aldean has the persistence to survive a tight touring schedule. “You work through it and make it work.”

Besides touring, Aldean is working on his third album, set for release early next year. With seven songs recorded so far, Aldean and producer Michael Knox still have some slots to fill. “Up-tempos are the hardest thing to find,” Aldean said. “There are a lot of them out there, but it’s hard to find a good one.”

He’s pleased with the product so far, though. “What we’ve recorded so far is really cool,” he said. “I’m excited. I get to bring people some great new music.”